In addition, to be helpful to the LGBT population of Jamaica, please support their national LGBT group, the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-sexuals and Gays J-FLAG.

J-FLAG's mission is to work towards a Jamaican society in which the Human Rights and Equality of Lesbians, All-Sexuals, and Gays are guaranteed. To foster the acceptance and enrichment of the lives of same-gender-loving persons who have been and continue to be, an integral part of society.

J-FLAG holds the vision to move forward in a spirit of oneness, love, dignity and respect towards the establishment of a Jamaica, and world, devoid of prejudice, injustice, discrimination and oppression. And, furthermore, to ensure the human rights of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, as set out in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

And do take the time to read J-FLAG's delightful and very progressive explanation about the West Indian view of bisexual, fluid and pansexual folks and how we came to be part of the group know in the Caribbean as All-Sexuals.

And lastly also note that J-FLAG depend on the kindness and goodwill of all of us to help rectify the unfortunate situation in their beautiful Island Home, so in the eternal spirit of "One Love" please do also take some time to review what they need and open your hearts and wallets!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Please join the members of BiNet USA on Saturday October 10th and Sunday October 11th when they along with thousands of other bisexual, fluid, pansexual and queer-identified people will gather with gay men, lesbian women, transgender and genderqueer people and our families, friends and "Straight-but-not-narrow" allies at our nation's capital and other locations across the country to strategize, advocate and demonstrate to gain our human rights.

We will gather with others to let our elected leaders know that now is the time for full equal rights for LGBT people, and we will leave energized and empowered to do the work that needs to be done in every community across the nation.

The Board of Directors of BiNet USA, during its regular, scheduled meeting on Saturday September 12th 2009, approved a resolution that endorsed with reservations the “National Equality March”, set for Saturday October 10 thru Sunday October 11th 2009 in Washington DC.

A number of bisexual, fluid, pansexual and queer-identified people, possibly many – including both new and veteran activists – are expected to journey to the nation’s capital to participate in this event, and, that being the case, the BiNet USA board encourages them to be out, proud and visible as bisexual, fluid, pansexual and queer-identified people who seek equality and equal protection under the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, as march organizers have called for; indeed, a number of BiNet USA’s members/supporters plan to carry our banner.

At the same time, the board’s endorsement resolution acknowledged that a number of the board's members, advisers, and supporters have significant concerns and reservations regarding the advisability of holding this particular march at this particular time and in the particular way it was organized.

The board’s resolution reads as follows:

Whereas, BiNet USA has received a request by the organizers of the “National Equality March” to endorse their event of Saturday October 10 thru Sunday October 11th 2009 in Washington DC; and

Whereas, bisexual, fluid, pansexual and queer-identified people intend to participate in this event; and

Whereas, BiNet USA supports the goals of the event, namely freedom, equality, equal protection and so forth; but

Whereas, some of BiNet USA’s board members, advisers and supporters have reservations and concerns regarding the timing, efficacy, advisability, process, genesis and more regarding this event,

Now therefore, BiNet USA’s board of directors does hereby endorse the goals of the "National Equality March" and encourages bisexual, fluid, pansexual and queer-identified people to attend and support it as well, and wishes the organizers well in their efforts.

It also acknowledges the concerns of those who feel this event is ill-timed and not an optimal expenditure of limited resources during the current economic downturn and with so many other battles that need to be funded and worked on, including specific marriage initiatives, ENDA, repeal of DADT and DOMA, etc., and acknowledges that many feel more stakeholders should have been consulted much earlier in the process to see if this "march"/gathering at this time was the best course of action.

That said, we look forward to the gathering and hope it energizes those who have never marched and renews and re-energizes those who have been doing activist work for longer periods.

The board also encourages those who cannot get to Washington DC from across the nation to participate in their own local parallel community or organizational events, including National Coming Out Day activities on October 11th.
Founded in 1990, BiNet USA is America's Civil-rights and advocacy organization for all bisexual, pansexual, fluid and all the rest of us "somewhere in between" people as well as their lesbian, gay, transgender, "straight but not narrow" and questioning friends and allies, BiNet USA facilitates the development of a cohesive network of independent bisexual/pansexual, fluid and friendly communities; promotes bisexual, fluid, pansexual and inclusive visibility; and collects and distribute educational information regarding sexual orientation and gender identity with an emphasis on the bisexual/pansexual, fluid and allied communities.

The Board of BiNet USA has elected two additional members: Faith Cheltenham and Matt Goodman. This brings to six the number of trustees leading the private nonprofit service/activist organization that was founded almost 20 years ago by a network of bisexual groups and individuals.

Faith will now serve as vice president of the organization, replacing Luigi Ferrer, longtime officer and former BiNet president who continues to be a board member but has many other pressing duties as executive director of Pridelines Youth Services and felt the need to step aside as an officer; Matt will serve as treasurer, a post that was vacant but was temporarily held by secretary Margaret Rood, who also continues to serve on the board but who likewise had other pressing responsibilities. Board member Estraven replaces Margaret as secretary.

Faith is a 29-year-old activist who wishes to represent bisexual people of color as well as younger people, as she has done for more than a decade.

Matt is BiNet USA's liaison to Creating Change 2010, something he is already involved in as president of the Bisexual Network of North Texas, commonly known as DFWBINET.

"Faith and Matt bring further energy, insight and wisdom to BiNet USA in their capacities as younger activists with varied and diverse backgrounds," said BiNet USA President Gary North. "We are proud to have them on the board and look forward to them helping to lead BiNet through the next two years and beyond." Board members serve two-year terms and can be re-elected. Among the many matters the board is tackling are the upcoming Bi VisiBIlity Day, National Coming Out Day, Bi/Pan/Fluid Organizing Institute at Creating Change in early February, and BiNet USA's own 20th anniversary celebration year starting in June.

Below are biographies on Faith and Matt:

Faith Cheltenham (faith@binetusa.org) has navigated the worlds of technology, mass media and culture with the intent of changing the world. She pounded pavement for the Al Gore 2000 campaign as an HRC Campaign College intern; was a cast member of “Black. White.” Emmy-honored reality show on race in America for the FX network; and in 2007 developed and produced www.sarahferguson.com, working closely with Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. Faith next developed the Science Fiction Social Networking site www.tor.com and launched it at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con. A bisexual activist for the past 10 years and co-founder of UCLA’s Queer Alliance, Faith is a writer and stand-up comedian who produces film, tv and web content in West Hollywood, California.

Matt Goodman (mattg@binetusa.org), a native Texan, is the president of the Bisexual Community of North Texas (www.dfwbi.net) as well as the chairman of its Development and Fundraising Subcommittee. He has been a bisexual activist since 1999, when he came out at the age of 20 in Lawrence, Kansas. He has held numerous positions in LGBT and Jewish civic groups. Matt has also started a number of civic groups since 1997. In 2008, He was discriminated against for coming out at work. After experiencing that, Matt restarted DFWBI.net under the new name Bisexual Community of North Texas. He currently chairs the Creating Change 2010 Development and Fundraising Sub Committee in addition to being president of the Bisexual Community of North Texas.

BiNet USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit networking organization of and for people who identify as bisexual, pansexual, fluid, queer, other, etc. It is approaching its 20th year of formal existence as a network and organization but operated as a de facto network for several years before organizing. For more information, visit BiNet USA on the Web at:

Community Definition of Bisexuality

“Bisexual - A person whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction is to other people of various sexes and/or gender identities. Individuals may experience this attraction in differing ways and degrees over their lifetime.”

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